Delhi’s love affair with momos may feel eternal today, but rewind a few decades and this Tibetan snack was barely known in the capital. In the heart of Lajpat Nagar’s Central Market, a woman from Tibet quietly changed that, transforming a humble street stall into one of the city’s most recognisable food brands, now turning over about Rs 60 lakh a month. (News18 Hindi)
Her name is Dolma Sering, though most customers know her simply as Dolma Aunty. Born in Tibet, she moved to India as a child when her family, along with many others, fled with the Dalai Lama. Raised in Tibetan settlements in Karnataka, she eventually made her way to Delhi, where fate and necessity pushed her into the food business. (News18 Hindi)
When Dolma first set up her momo cart in Lajpat Nagar, the snack was a novelty, and not always a welcome one. “People thought momo were raw food,” she recalled. Delhi’s street food scene was dominated by deep-fried items, and a woman selling on the roadside was itself unusual. Add to that a language barrier, she spoke little Hindi, and there were days when not a single plate sold. (News18 Hindi)
But Dolma adapted. She fine-tuned her recipes to suit Delhi’s spice-loving palate, creating the fiery chutney that would become her signature. Slowly, curiosity turned to craving. (News18 Hindi)
First a few customers came, then queues formed. Her momo, whether vegetable, chicken or paneer, became a staple for college students, office workers, and tourists alike. (News18 Hindi)
From selling six momo for Rs 15 in the early days, prices have risen to Rs 70-100 per plate, but the crowds haven’t thinned. She has since expanded to two more outlets, all sticking to her original recipe and standards. (News18 Hindi)
Today, according to food influencer Bizbrain, Dolma Aunty’s stall sells around 1,900 plates a day, bringing in daily earnings of Rs 1.9-2 lakh. (News18 Hindi)
Her son Ramu now handles operations, but Dolma remains the guardian of the taste that made her famous. (News18 Hindi)
By early afternoon, the queue outside her stall already snakes down the street. For many, it’s not just about a quick snack, it’s about being part of a Delhi street food legacy built on perseverance, adaptation, and the belief that one plate of momo can change everything. (News18 Hindi)
